Cristóbal Balenciaga, Sophia Jex-Blake, Nella Martinetti, Ernst Ostertag, Lytton Strachey
Born: Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895), Sophia Jex-Blake (1840), Nella Martinetti (1946), Ernst Ostertag (1930)
Died: Lytton Strachey (1932)
Born on this day
Cristóbal Balenciaga
His mastery of fabric and construction changed the silhouette of modern couture, in a career sustained by craftsmanship and closely guarded personal relationships.
21JanBorn 1840186th birthdaySophia Jex-Blake
Sophia Jex-Blake helped force open medical education to women and built institutions that turned access into practical opportunities to train and work.
21JanBorn 194680th birthdayNella Martinetti
Nella Martinetti became a familiar face of Swiss entertainment and wrote the lyrics of Céline Dion's Eurovision-winning song, while speaking candidly about pain and her private life.
21JanBorn 193096th birthdayErnst Ostertag
A teacher, activist and witness to Swiss gay history, he helped turn lives once protected by discretion into a public record of companionship and political change.